I have never included an appeal in a gallery newsletter, and I do not expect to include another one for a long time. But this winter has been a terrible one for the Yu'pik Eskimo on St. Lawrence Island, in the middle of the Bering Strait. In addition to the usual rigors of an Arctic winter -- frigid temperatures and winds of up to 100 mph -- the 800 residents of Savoonga and their neighbors in Gambell have been challenged by the consequences of climate change. As you may have read, climate change is happening faster in the Arctic than anywhere else on earth. This winter, sea ice never formed, and the Bering Strait waters have been extraordinarily rough. This has been devastating for the people of St. Lawrence Island, who are subsistence hunters. This winter's conditions have prevented them from hunting for food.
In addition, a major source of income -- digging for artifacts and carving walrus ivory -- has also been disrupted, as a result of public confusion about the rules governing sales of ivory. (The people of Savoonga are allowed to dig artifacts and to carve walrus ivory.)
Now, it is essential that the people of St. Lawrence Island have a successful spring hunting season. In order to hunt, they need to buy fuel for their snowmobiles and boats, and also heating oil for their hunting camps. They estimate that they will need about $30,000 to cover the costs of the hunt.
I have started a
gofundme page
for the people of Savoonga. I hope that you will visit it and donate. Every $5 donated will purchase one gallon of fuel or heating oil. I hope that you will take a moment and make a contribution of any size.
Thank you.
